THE BULL FROG. 



3 1 



story respecting one of them is well authenticated. 

 The American Indians are known to be excellent 

 runners, being almost able to equal the best horse 

 in its swiftest course. In order, therefore, to try 

 how well the Bull Frogs could leap, some Swedes 

 laid a wager with a young Indian that he could not 

 overtake one of them, provided it had two leaps 

 beforehand. They carried a Bull Frog, which they 

 had caught in a pond, into a field, and burnt its 

 rail. The fire, and the Indian who endeavoured to 

 get up to the frog, had together such an effect upon 

 the animal, that it made its long leaps across the 

 field as fast as it could. The Indian pursued it 

 with all his might. The noise he made in running 

 frightened the poor frog : probably it was afraid of 

 being tortured with fire again, and therefore it re- 

 doubled its leaps, and by that means reached the 

 pond, which was fixed on as their goal, before the 

 Indian could overtake it *. 



The women are no friends to these frogs, because 

 they kill and eat young ducks and goslings ; and 

 sometimes they carry off chickens that venture too 

 near the ponds. — During winter they remain in a 

 torpid state under the mud : and in spring they 

 commence their bellowings. 



They are edible, and have frequently as much meat 

 on them as a young fowl. — A few years ago some of 

 them were brought alive into this country. 



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* Kalm. 



